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TNPSC Current Affairs June 19-25, 2016 (Weekly Current Affairs in English)

TNPSC Current Affairs June 19-25, 2016 (Weekly Current Affairs in English)

Current Affairs June 2016 (Weekly Current Affairs - June 19-25, 2016)Current Affairs - World

1. Sunway TaihuLight - World’s Fastest Supercomputer

The latest 2016 edition of Top 500 list of Supercomputers has revealed that China’s Sunway TaihuLight Supercomputer is the world’s most powerful supercomputer system.

This Sunway TaihuLight can perform calculations with processing speed of 124.5 petaflops per second (Pflops). It is world’s first system to surpass 100 petaflops. This supercomputer has displaced Tianhe-2, an Intel-based Chinese supercomputer that has claimed the top spot on the past six Top500 lists.

2. Britain votes to Exit European Union

Britain has voted by 52% to 48% to leave the European Union (EU) after 43 years in a historic referendum. Britain would be the first country to leave the EU since its formation, but a leave vote will not immediately mean britain ceases to be a member of 28-nation bloc, that process could take a minimum of two years. Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron says he will step down.

3. Italy Rome’s First Woman Mayor

Virginia Raggi wins as Rome’s first woman mayor in recently held Italian Mayoral runoff polls. Raggi represents the anti-corruption Five Star Movement, and is both the first candidate from that party and the first woman to be elected to Rome's mayoralty.

4. UN honoured Indian Zubaida Bai as “2016 Compact SDG Pioneers”

Indian Social entrepreneur Zubaida Bai has been named among 10 champion and pioneers by UN chief Ban Ki Moon under the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative that calls on companies to align with universal principles of human rights, environment and anti-corruption.

Pluto’s largest moon Charon is home to an unusual canyon system that is far larger and deeper than Earth’s Grand Canyon, according to a new image beamed back by NASA’s New Horizons Spacecraft. The Canyon, informally named Argo chasma, on Pluto’s moon estimated to be as deep as 9 km.

6. Global Migrants counts crossed 65.3 million: United Nations

This is the first time the new record of 65.3 million people by the end of 2015 the United Nations released on World Refugees Day, 20.06.2016. Of the planet’s 65.30 mn displaced, 40.8 mn remain within their own country, while fled across borders are now refugees. The Palastenian are the largest group of refugees at more than 5 mn, syrian refugees with 4.9 mn adb afganistan is third with 2.7 mn refugees.

7. India Becomes a Member of SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation)

India is set to become a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) when the security grouping meets for its summit in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in (23.06.2016) Tashkent to attend the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit. During his meeting with Chinese President, he thanked China for supporting India's membership of SCO. Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent, is hosting the important Shanghai Cooperation Organization annual meeting.

8. Infant Exoplanet Discovered

Astronomers announced 20.06.2016, monday the discovery of the youngest planet ever found outside the solar system, lending new insight into how planetary systems form. The 11 million year old exoplanet named K2-33b. Nearly 5 times the size of the earth, it is about 470 light-years away from it.

9. International Day of Yoga- June 21

The UN declared International Day of Yoga is celebrated on 21.06.2016, tuesday in India as well as world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in capitol complex Chandigarh and announced two yoga awards to be given away on the occasion of International Day of Yoga.

India and Switzerland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish formal cooperation in the fields of skill development and vocational and professional education and training. The MoU was signed in Winterthur city in Zurich between State Secretary Mauro Dell' Ambrogio and Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

11. Solar-powered plane crosses the Atlantic

An airplane powered entirely by the sun landed in Seville, Spain yesterday after a 71-hour journey across the Atlantic from New York. The one-seat Solar Impulse 2 took off from New York. The solar-powered plane was piloted on this leg of its around the world journey by Swiss aviator Bertrand Piccard, cruising at an average speed of 70 kilometers an hour.

12. India's NSG membership stalled

India's membership to the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group has been stalled for the present due to opposition from China. China's Arms Control Department Director told reporters that no consensus was reached on granting membership of the NSG to countries, like India, that have not signed the NPT. He said that if a country wanted to become a member of the NSG it was essential for it to sign the NPT.

China has established country’s first dark sky reserve for astronomical observation in the Tibetan prefecture of Ngari, bordering Nepal and India. The reserve was jointly launched by the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (GDF) and the regional government of Tibet. Dark-sky reserve: It is an area that is kept free of artificial light pollution. The purpose of a dark sky preserve is generally to promote astronomy. It usually surrounding a park or observatory

In Bangladesh, a 3rd century archaeological site called Mahasthangarh in Bogra has been selected to function as the SAARC cultural capital this year. Every year, a culturally and archaeologically rich city of one of the eight SAARC countries is declared as the cultural capital with the aim of creating a bridge among the peoples of the region. Bamiyan. a historic city of Afghanistan is the current SAARC cultural capital.

Current Affairs - India

15. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches Smart city Mission Projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Smart City Mission’ involving 83 projects from 20 different cities in the country, the government was launched at function held at Pune’s Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex one year after it was announced. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that cities can fight poverty and it is necessary to strengthen their capacity to fight the poverty.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has given its approval to for the purchase of 145 Ultra-Light Howitzers (ULH) guns from the US. The procurement of ULH will be through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route from the US and it will cost around 750 million dollars. As part of this deal, 25 ULH guns will come to India directly from US in a fly away condition. Rest will be assembled in India at the proposed Assembly Integration and Test facility (AITF) for the weapon system in partnership with Mahindra and Mahindra Company.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched, 20 satellites in a single mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The Satellites including India’s latest earth observation satellite Cartosat-2 were launched using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-34. This successful launch, ISRO surpassed its previous record of placing 10 satellites into orbit in a single mission in 2008.

The 725.5 kg-weighing Cartosat-2 series satellite would be used for Earth observation. According to ISRO, the imagery sent by the satellite will be useful for mapping, urban and rural applications, coastal land use and regulation and road networking.

18. Cabinet Approves Gandhi Setu in Patna

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 23.06.2016, Thursday approved rehabilitation of four-lane 5.575-km long Mahatma Gandhi Setu in Patna at an estimated cost of Rs 1,742 crore. The bridge, which was constructed in 1980s in Patna- Hazipur region, is currently in a dilapidated condition in absence of proper maintenance.

19. Cabinet approves MoU between India and Germany

The Union Cabinet has been apprised of signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Steinbeis GmbH Co. KG for Technologietransfer, Germany on technology resourcing in manufacturing, including sub-sectors of Capital Goods. The MoU was signed on 25th April, 2016 during the Industrial Exhibition Hannover Messe 2016 in Hannover, Germany.

20. The Drugs and Cosmetics (Amendment) Bill, 2013 is Withdrawn

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has decided to withdraw the Drugs and Cosmetics (Amendment) Bill, 2013, which had been introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 29.08.2013. The Bill had been examined by the Standing Committee of Parliament which had made a number of recommendations for changing the provisions of the Bill.

21. Cabinet approves special package for employment generation and promotion of exports in Textile and Apparel sector

The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given approval for a special package for employment generation and promotion of exports in Textile and Apparel sector.

The move comes in the backdrop of the package of reforms announced by the Government for generation of one crore jobs in the textile and apparel industry over next 3 years. The package includes a slew of measures which are labour friendly and would promote employment generation, economies of scale and boost exports.

22. UDAY Scheme's deadline extends

The Union Cabinet has approved proposal of extending the deadline for implementing the Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) by a year to March 31, 2017. With this decision, states shall take over 75% of ailing DISCOM (Power Distribution companies) debt as on 30th September, 2015 by 31st March, 2017 by issuing Bonds.

Current Affairs - Sports

23. Mary Kom not participated in Rio Olympics 2016

Mary Kom’s last hope for an Olympic berth might be over after the denial of a wildcard, but star Indian woman boxer on Thursday said she would not hang up her gloves just yet. The 33-year-old five-time world champion could not make the cut for Rio via the two qualifiers and last-ditch attempts by the Indian Olympic Association and the ad-hoc committee administering boxing in India to fetch her a wildcard entry also fell through after the IOC declined the request.

24. Anju Bobby George resigns as Kerala Sports Council President

India's lone athletics World Championship medal winner Anju Bobby George on Wednesday resigned as President of the Kerala Sports Council. Announcing her decision to quit, the celebrated long-jumper said it was not proper to continue in the post after "allegations" and "misunderstandings" cropped up against her.

25. Russia faces ban from Olympic weightlifting

Weightlifting governing body has put Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus on notice that they face being banned from the Rio Olympics over repeat doping offences. North Korea was among four other nations facing sanctions over the use of banned substances as the sport seeks to clean its image.

26. Dutee Chand Qualified Olympic 2016 for 100m event

Indian sprinter Dutee Chand has qualified for 2016 Olympics in the women’s 100metre event scheduled to be held in August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dutee qualified for the Rio Olympics after meeting the qualification mark at 26th International Meeting G.Kosanov Memorial in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In this event, she clocked 11.30 seconds beating the Rio Olympics qualification mark of 11.32 secs.

27. Anil Kumble appointed as Team India head coach

Former captain Anil Kumble was appointed as the Indian cricket team's head coach for one-year tenure on 23.06.2016, Thursday. The committee comprising greats Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly had interviewed 10 candidates for the job in Kolkata, that Anil Kumble will be the head coach of the Indian cricket team for the next one year.

28. India wins T20 series against Zimbabwe

India survived a mighty last-ball scare before clinching the T20 series 2-1 with a nervy three-run victory over a spirited Zimbabwe in the third and final Twenty20 International in Harare on Wednesday. The series decider went right down to the last ball after Zimbabwe restricted India to 138 for six and got close to the target before ending at 135 for six. Earlier, Kedar Jadhav bailed India out of trouble with a timely 58 off 42 balls.Dhoni, who was appointed captain in 2007, has led India in 60 Tests, 194 ODIs and 70 T20 Internationals

29. India Wins Silver medal at Archery World Cup 2016

The Indian mixed recurve team of Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das has won silver at theArchery World Cup in Antalya, Turkey. Indian team lost to South Korea 1-5 in the final at Konyaalti Beach Park on 19.06.2016. The Sixth seeded Indian duo reached final after beating second-seeded pair of Mauro Nespoli Guendalina Sartori 5-1 in straight sets in the semi-finals. Earlier, the women's recurve team of Deepika Kumari, Bombayla Devi Laishram and Laxmirani Majhi also went down in the bronze medal clash to Italy 1

Vikas Krishnan(75kg) and Manoj Krishnan(64kg) qualified for the Rio Olympics on 23.06.2016, thursday making it to the last-four stage in the International Boxing Association’s World Qualifying tournament being held in Baku, Azarbaijan.